University of Hertfordshire becomes partner of Watford FC charity

This partnership comes after the university was announced as Watford FC's official higher education partner for the 2024-25 season.

Rob Smith, the Trust's community director, said: "Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to the University of Hertfordshire, and those behind the scenes who have made this happen.

"With the current funding landscape, it is vitally important we are able to build successful partnerships such as this.

"It is particularly pleasing when proficient institutions in the heartbeat of our community come on board, which the university most certainly is.

"We look forward to seeing this relationship develop."

The University of Hertfordshire has been named as an official Trust Partner (Image: Watford Football Club’s Community Sports and Education Trust)

The new partnership involves a financial contribution to the Trust, which is a self-financing charity which engages with more than 20,000 people each year.

The Trust relies on donations and partnerships to fund its activities.

The partnership is expected to strengthen the relationship between the university and the football club, creating more opportunities for collaboration to benefit Watford residents and students.

Professor Quintin McKellar CBE, vice-chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said: "As Hertfordshire’s only university and a leading educator in sports subjects for the east of England, we fully align with Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust’s vision and mission of improving lives and enhancing communities through the power of sport and learning.

"The Trust does a tremendous job of providing a wealth of community activities and initiatives aimed at promoting social inclusion, health and wellbeing, and opportunities for more people to participate in sport.

"We couldn’t be happier to be supporting such brilliant and important work as their official partner, and look forward to working together to develop brighter futures for all."